2025 Mon Valley Independent Journey Edition Article
The Authority’s Sewage Department, additional Staff, Management, and Engineers continue to work to eliminate the problem of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). The system here was originally designed and constructed through the 1950s to convey both sanitary sewage and storm runoff together. Since 1972, the United States EPA has been implementing programs under the “Clean Water Act” to monitor and control CSOs to reduce contaminants in our natural water sources. Because portions of the sewer systems that convey sewage to the Authority’ sewage plant for treatment act as combined systems during periods of heavy rainfall and snow-melt, runoff flow in the sewers increases, and the excess flow is diverted to a combined sewer overflow system that discharges into the river, including a portion of sanitary sewage flow that is untreated. These discharges are monitored and reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
For several years, the Authority conducted extensive flow monitoring of the existing interceptor sewer that receives these flows to determine the location and size of wet weather flows that must be controlled. The Authority has conducted studies of potential treatment and/or storage solutions to control these flows. The Authority is mandated under a Consent Order and Agreement to take steps to treat this wet weather flow and to reduce untreated discharges to the river.
The flow monitoring throughout the sewer system will aid in the planning of additional measures that may be necessary to reduce excess wet weather flows from entering the sewer system, possibly through downspouts and area drains. The removal of these sources could eliminate an additional, costly third phase of the CSO project. This will be determined by mandatory post construction monitoring at the completion of Phases I and II.
The Authority has presented a conceptual plan to the DEP and the affected communities that meets the mandated state and federal requirements for CSO control. This modified plan is costly, with an anticipated overall cost of $27 million dollars, significantly reduced from the original plan which was projected to cost in excess of $60 million dollars. The Authority is and has been committed to reducing costs and the impact to our ratepayers by seeking grants and other funding assistance. Grant funding, through local resources, in the amount of $1,050,000 to date, has been secured with the continuing goal of substantial reduction in the cost of the project while meeting DEP and EPA clean water requirements. As our customers have already faced significant rate changes and/or surcharges due to the CSO Project, the Authority will continue its efforts to seek additional grants and funding to minimize additional increases as these projects progress through programs like the Rural Utility Service (RUS). The Authority was awarded a $1,800,000 grant to coincide with a low interest loan through RUS to fund Phase II of the project.
Phase I of the CSO Project included a new treatment facility in Speers to treat flows from the Speers and Dunlevy areas, as well as new and larger pump stations and related sewer piping in other areas to convey flows to the sewage treatment plant for treatment and discharge. Phase II construction in Speers, Charleroi and North Charleroi will convey Fallowfield, Charleroi, and North Charleroi flows for treatment to the existing sewage treatment plant. This work includes new and larger pump stations in Speers and North Charleroi, two additional pump stations in Twilight and near the sewage plant, along with new piping in these areas to convey flows to the sewage treatment plant. This work is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025. As mentioned, the need for Phase III construction may be deferred after the results of the first two phases have been analyzed.
Home and business owners in tributary communities will be required to take steps to reduce the amount of wet weather flows entering their respective systems. Charleroi’s storm sewer separation project has resulted in a reduction of peak storm water flows received at the treatment plant.
Design work is also under way for improvements to the Authority’s Sewage Treatment Plant. Significant upgrades are planned, work which includes upgraded bar screens, digester improvements, and solids handling equipment. This work is set to begin in 2026.
With these ongoing projects, we will provide the needed infrastructure to meet state and federal regulations and further enhance river conditions, support the quality of life, and provide improved infrastructure to support the residential and business base that all residents can enjoy.